last straw

L l

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [last, lahst straw]
- /læst, lɑst strɔ/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [last, lahst straw]
- /læst, lɑst strɔ/

Definitions of last straw words

noun last straw the last of a succession of irritations, incidents, remarks, etc., that leads to a loss of patience, a disaster, etc.: He has been late before, but this is the last straw. 1
noun last straw final source of irritation 1
noun last straw the last of a sequence of annoyances or troubles that results in a breakdown, loss of patience, etc. 0
noun last straw (Idiomatic) (almost always preceded by the) A small addition to a burden which causes it to exceed the capacity. 0

See all 4 definitions of last straw

Information block about the term

Origin of last straw

First appearance:

before 1840

One of the 33% newest English words

First recorded in 1840-50; after the proverb “It is the last straw that breaks the camel's back”

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Last straw

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Last straw

last straw popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 44% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

last straw usage trend in Literature

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Synonyms for last straw

noun last straw

affront — If something affronts you, you feel insulted and hurt because of it.
indignity — an injury to a person's dignity; slighting or contemptuous treatment; humiliating affront, insult, or injury.
limit — the final, utmost, or furthest boundary or point as to extent, amount, continuance, procedure, etc.: the limit of his experience; the limit of vision.
overload — to load to excess; overburden: Don't overload the raft or it will sink.
provocation — the act of provoking.

All 6 Synonyms of last straw